Can I Know The Will Of God? Pt. 11 God's Will For Immigrants, Widows, Orphans and Money Lenders.

 

We are studying the will of God in an overview manner, going through the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's will.

We are learning that His will is clearly communicated to us and we need to submit and obey.

Treat immigrants to your nation humanely.

Exodus 22:21  Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 

The word "stranger" means a foreigner from another country. A stranger is a temporary inhabitant who lacks rights of citizenship. 

The word "vex" means that we should not oppress, suppress, treat violently, or do wrong to a stranger. 

This was a very humane law of a sound policy.  “Do not vex a stranger; Remember you were strangers in Egypt. Do not oppress a stranger. Remember you were severely oppressed. 

Therefore do unto all men as you would have them do unto you. 

Let strangers be well treated among you, and many will come to take refuge among you, and thus the strength of your country will be increased. 

If refugees of this kind be treated well, they will become proselytes to your religion, and thus their souls may be saved. 

In every point of view, justice, humanity, sound policy, and religion tell us not to vex or oppress a stranger.

Care for the widows and orphans. 

Exodus 22:22-24  Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23)  If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24)  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 

God has a special place in His heart for those who are widowed or orphaned. There are several places in His law where He commands that they be treated well and that their needs be met. 

This command brings the threat of divine judgment for any person who neglects or afflicts widows and orphans. 

It is remarkable that violations of this law are not left to the discretion of the judges to be punished. God reserves the right punishment to himself, and by this He strongly shows His abhorrence of the crime. 

Neglecting or taking advantage of widows or orphans is not a common crime, and it shall not be punished in a common way. The wrath of God shall wax hot against those who afflict or wrong a widow or a fatherless child. 

We may be assured that He who helps the widows or orphans does a service that is highly acceptable in the sight of God.

Do not take advantage of people in distress. 

Exodus 22:25-27  If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. 26)  If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: 27)  For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 

Sometimes people may find themselves in serious financial or vocation difficulty and they may need help. If a Hebrew lent money to a person in need, they were commanded not to charge them interest. 

This command is most frequently violated by "payday" lenders. Such unscrupulous businesses target people who are facing financial hardship by offering easy to get advances on their paycheck. However, the interest rate they charge those people is exorbitant. 

God will hear victims of this crime when they call out and He will hold those charging high interest rates, responsible for their wrongdoing and lack of compassion. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Though Jehovah gave the law many centuries ago, we can see that His commands are still relevant today. 

We need to be governed by what God says about immigrants to our nation.

We need to be guided by what God says with regard to the care of widows and orphans.

We need to be guided by what God said about taking advantage of those who face financial hardship.

Certainly, America would be better served by obeying God's commands in shaping policies that deal with these issues.

Let us be in prayer for Christians to have the heart of God about each of these important issues.

Bob